Branch Manager - Cedar Rapids, IA

Republic Electric Co•Cedar Rapids, IA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

At Republic & T.F. Ehrhart, we are a third-generation, family-owned business and a leading wholesale distributor of electrical energy management, heating, air conditioning, hydronic and sign support systems. We are seeking a Branch Manager to own the daily operations of the branch and team, ensuring all operational functions are performed, outstanding customer service is provided, and compliance with policies and procedures is maintained. This role is responsible for the financial performance of the branch, including warehouse operations, delivery services, inventory, training, safety, building security & maintenance, and sales management. This position reports directly to the Vice President of Operations.

Requirements

Equivalent Experience or Bachelor’s Degree in a business discipline (Business Management, Marketing, Accounting, Sales, Entrepreneurship) is preferred.
3-5 years of related work experience in HVAC or electrical distribution.
Strong problem-solving abilities.
Excellent customer service skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook/Teams).
Excellent teamwork/collaborative aptitude, with the ability to work independently and be a self-starter.
Demonstrated leadership skills using ability to galvanize and use influence skills to drive action and promote change.

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage budgets, inventory, customer sales, and operating expenses for branch financial performance.
Maintain good relationships with key accounts and identify top customers.
Work cross-functionally with purchasing to manage inventory turns and scrutinize new stock additions.
Collaborate with other Branch Managers and departments for customer service, inventory transfer, expense reduction, training deployment, and gap filling.
Hold weekly staff meetings and monthly meetings with key partners (sales, purchasing, HR, IT, Accounting, etc.) to implement company objectives.
Ensure compliance with all operational and personnel policies and procedures, and enforce safety policies and operational best practices.
Ensure buildings and employees are safe, well-maintained, and secure.
Oversee and schedule maintenance services for branch facilities, equipment, and vehicles, including coordinating with the Fleet Manager for DOT maintenance.
Own all warehouse operational processes, including receiving, transfers, inventory control, order picking, packing, quality assurance, and delivery.
Serve as the point of escalation for product returns, defective inventory, and warranty claims, working cross-functionally to resolve issues.
Manage inventory accuracy through cycle counts and reconciliation processes.
Ensure proper handling, storage, and rotation of HVAC materials and equipment.
Oversee delivery operations, including scheduling drivers, trucks, and optimizing delivery routes.
Coordinate LTL shipments for large-order deliveries.
Ensure compliance with DOT regulations and company fleet safety standards.
Verify completion of driver pre-trip inspections, documentation, logs, mileage reporting, and operational records.
Address delivery issues, delays, or service failures and promote safe driving practices.
Support the sales function to ensure brand promises are met.
Work cross-functionally to schedule customer training events and host monthly open house/counter day events.
Manage branch showrooms, ensuring they are established, equipped, clean, and product is rotated for seasonality.
Work with the Crib Program Manager to ensure crib specialists fulfill orders and support new crib account establishment.
Promote exceptional customer service through the counter team, ensuring timely customer interaction and problem resolution.
Assist with ticket writing, taking phone orders, and assisting walk-in customers as needed.
Guide and coach counter staff through complex order situations and work cross-functionally to resolve issues.
Utilize inventory and order entry functions in the company’s ERP system and assist others with research and troubleshooting.
Recruit, train, and develop employees for the branch.
Monitor schedules and time off requests to ensure adequate branch coverage.
Assess employee training and development needs and schedule opportunities for growth.
Complete performance reviews and provide coaching and feedback to direct reports.